Illinois-Northwestern Game Notes | Get Tickets | Gameday Central
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois football team will celebrate 18 student-athletes with a special ceremony before Saturday's home finale against Northwestern at Memorial Stadium. Thirteen seniors, four redshirt juniors and one medical hardship will be recognized on the field prior to their final home game. The honorees will be announced in alphabetical order beginning at about 10:35 a.m., with kickoff to follow at 11:03 a.m.
#28 Nolan Bernat | CB
» Bartlett, Ill. // Bartlett HS
» Majoring in advertising
» Parents are Michael and Alice Bernat
» 20 games played, including all 11 in 2019.
» Walk-on defensive back has seen plenty of action on special teams, making 10 career tackles.
» Had his only career interception against WIU in 2018.
#25 Dre Brown | RB
» DeKalb, Ill. // DeKalb HS
» Earned bachelor's degree in recreation, sport & tourism in Dec. 2018
» Currently pursuing a master's degree in management
» Parents are Aaron Brown and Michele Hill
» 24 games played and two career starts.
» Fifth-year senior missed the first two years of his career due to injury
» Battled back to become the team's second-leading rusher this season (528 yards, 4 TDs)
» One of the top kick returners in program history.
#2 Reggie Corbin | RB
» Upper Marlboro, Md. // Gonzaga College HS
» Earned bachelor's degree in communication in May '18
» Currently pursuing a master's degree in recreation, sport & tourism
» Parents are Reginald Corbin and the late Patricia Brown
» 42 games played and 20 starts
» Among the top Illini rushers of all time with 2,330 yards and 17 touchdowns.
» His explosiveness is unmatched in UI history with 10 scrimmage plays of 50+ yards and the best yards per carry (6.6) among Illini 2,000-yard rushers.
#15 Trenard Davis | WR
» Boynton Beach, Fla. // American Heritage HS
» On track to earn a bachelor's degree in recreation, sport & tourism in Dec. 2019
» Parents are Craig and La'Shonya Davis
» 24 games played and seven career starts.
» Spent time as a defensive back, quarterback and finally settled in as a wide receiver
» Has 40 career catches for 430 yards, and threw a touchdown pass against Penn State in 2018.
#7 Stanley Green | S
» East St. Louis, Ill. // East St. Louis Sr. HS
» Majoring in learning & education studies
» Parents are Stanley Green Sr. and Danielle Green
» 38 games played and 28 starts.
» Regular in the secondary for four years, racking up 248 tackles, nine forced fumbles (third-most in Illini history), six fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
» Currently leading the nation in fumble recoveries (4)
#9 Dele Harding | LB
» Elkton, Md. // Eastern Christian HS
» Majoring in kinesiology
» Parents are David and Akeya Harding
» 37 games played and 18 starts.
» One of the top linebackers in the nation in 2019
» Leading Big Ten and second in the nation in tackles (132)
» Also has 12.0 TFLs, 3 forced fumbles, three interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.
» Two-time team captain in 2018 and '19
#95 Kenyon Jackson | DT
» Little Rock, Ark.// Parkview Arts & Science Magnet
» Majoring in communication
» Parents are Keith and Melanie Jackson
» 38 games played, nine starts.
» Has been part of the defensive tackle rotation for the past four years
» 65 career tackles, 3.0 TFLs and 2.0 sacks throughout his career.
#55 Jamal Milan | DT
» Chicago, Ill. // Al Raby
» Earned bachelor's degree in sociology in May 2019
» Currently working toward a second bachelor's degree in communication
» Parents are Willie Long and Melissa Milan
» 40 games played, 30 starts.
» Four-year starter at defensive tackle
» Having his best season to date with 31 tackles and 8.5 TFLs, most among B1G defensive tackles.
» 98 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his career.
#96 Tymir Oliver | DT
» Philadelphia, Pa. // West Philadelphia Catholic
» Majoring in learning & education studies
» 47 games played, 30 starts
» Regular starter and contributor at defensive tackle throughout his career
» 87 career tackles, 11.0 TFLs, eight PBUs and 5.5 sacks
» Team captain in 2017
#74 Richie Petitbon | OL
» Annapolis, Md. // Gonzaga College HS
» Earned bachelor's degree at Alabama in communication studies in Dec. 2018
» Working toward a master's degree in sport management
» 11 games played, 11 starts.
» Graduate transfer from Alabama
» Has started every game and played nearly every snap at right guard holding down the right guard
#13 Caleb Reams | WR
» Gurnee, Ill. // Warren Township
» Earned bachelor's degree in community health in May 2019
» Currently pursuing at master's degree in management
» Parents are Lewis and Lisa Reams
» 32 games played, six starts
» Has 15 catches for 150 yards and one touchdown in his career
» His bread and butter is his exceptional blocking
#83 Bobby Walker | TE
» Golf, Ill. // Loyola Academy
» Earned bachelor's degree in political science in Dec. 2018
» Currently pursuing a master's degree in management
» Son of Robert and Anne Walker
» 36 games played.
» AFCA Good Works Team and Wuerffel Trophy nominee
» Staple on specials units and as a blocking tight end through his career.
» Walk-on was awarded a scholarship for the 2018 season.
#10 Justice Williams | TE
» Frisco, Texas // Wakeland HS
» Earned bachelor's degree in business management in August 2018
» Currently pursuing a master's degree in business administration
» Parents are Kevin and Joy Williams
» 46 games played, five starts.
» Has played linebacker, wide receiver and now tight end
» Has been a staple on special teams, making 16 tackles
» 14 career catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.
#75 Kurt Gavin | OL
» Redshirt Junior
» Mokena, Ill. // Lincoln-Way East
» Majoring in advertising
» Parents are Lori Charmichael and the late Daniel Gavin
» Three games played
#16 Cam Miller | QB
» Redshirt Junior
» Evergreen Park, Ill. // Brother Rice
» Majoring in finance
» Parents are Robert and Ninette Miller
» Six games played
» Scored a rushing touchdown at Ohio State in 2017 on his first career play
#81 Griffin Palmer | TE
» Redshirt Junior
» St. Charles, Mo. // De Smet Jesuit
» Majoring in finance
» Parents are John and Kim Palmer
» 23 games played, mostly on special teams
» Hauled in his first career reception last Saturday at Iowa.
#52 Ayo Shogbonyo | DE
» Redshirt-junior
» Arlington, Texas // Mansfield Summitt
» Majoring in communication
» Parents are Ade and Naomi Shogbonyo
» 31 games played, 11 starts
» Having a breakout 2019 with 31 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble
#88 Brandon Jones | DE
» Went on medical scholarship prior to the 2019 season
» Columbia, Mo. // Hickman HS
» Majoring in communication
» Parents are Brian and Mary Kay Jones
» Spent three seasons as both tight end and defensive end
» Has stayed involved with the team as a manager
